Composition I Syllabus for 2017-2018
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If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ENGL-1301-DC018 Composition I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RDNG 0331 and ENGL 0302-minimum grade of C or scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading and writing skills

Course Description

Intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement and style. Focus on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communicating and critical analysis.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Student Performance:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.
3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose.
4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
5. Use Edited American English in academic essays.

In addition to the learning outcomes listed, students will be expected to use the library’s online databases and other computer resources for research and word processing. Also, all students will write a third person, argumentative research paper that follows the MLA format for citing sources and utilizes peer review. 

Students are expected to complete all work in order to pass the class.

English Department Plagiarism Policy (Revised Spring, 2013):

The English Department takes plagiarism seriously.

Plagiarism is defined as the following:  the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or using someone else’s research without citing it.

Student plagiarism in the Amarillo College English Department is internally tracked.  To clarify, records will be kept in the Department of those students who have plagiarized.  At the beginning of each new semester, the names of students who plagiarized the previous semester will be sent to all English Department faculty. 

Plagiarism may receive a penalty of a zero.  A subsequent infraction will be deemed a reason for expulsion from the class. At this point, the case will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Note: Self-plagiarism will be discussed with the class by each instructor and infractions for such are left up to the individual instructor’s discretion.

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 

 

Amarillo College English Department. A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 & 1302: A Custom Publication for Amarillo College. 2nd ed., Hayden McNeil, 2016.

Meyer, Michael, editor. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing. 8th ed., Bedford, 2008.

Recommended Text (I highly recommend getting your own copy):

The Modern Language Association of America. MLA Handbook. 8th ed.,

The Modern Language Association of America, 2016.

 

Supplies

A computer with reliable access to the internet and a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, LibreOffice, or Google Docs.

OpenOffice and LibreOffice contain free word processing applications and can be found here:

http://www.openoffice.org/

http://www.libreoffice.org/

• Students may use the computers in room 213 at Palo Duro High School or in the PDHS Library.
• Students may also use the computers in room 101 at Ordway Hall on the Amarillo College campus (make sure you know your AC ID).
• Students may also seek outside assistance on their writing at Writer’s Corner in room 102 in Ordway Hall on the Amarillo College campus.
• AC offers online help through SMARTHINKING, accessible through your AC Connect Account.

Three-ring binder

Five Dividers

Notebook Paper

Chromebook (Provided by PDHS)

Personal Journal (from Summer Reading Assignment)

Student Performance

1. Understand basic rhetorical concepts: subject, audience, purpose, and appeals.
2. Apply rhetorical concepts in analyzing and evaluating text.
3. Use standard American English to write essays that are rhetorically effective: clear, organized, detailed, grammatically correct, and audience specific.
4. Complete essays from the following menu—teacher option in bold:

• Group 1: Personal (letter of application, narrative, topic response, journal, descriptive)
• Group 2: Analytical (visual, written, summary-response, evaluative, rhetorical analysis)
• Group 3: Research (researched argument, classical argument, proposal)
• Group 4: Wild card (selection from groups 1-3, teacher option)

In addition to the learning outcomes listed, students will be expected to use the library’s online databases and other computer resources for research and word processing. Also, all students will write a third person, argumentative research paper that follows the MLA format for citing sources and utilizes peer review.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students must be in compliance with all Palo Duro High School Rules and Code of Conduct. No Cell phones visible or in use (except with teacher permission) No behaviors which interfere with other students' learning As Palo Duro High School Students, you are expected to follow the D-FORCE guidelines: Be focused, organized, respectful, and consistent every day  Amarillo College English Department Plagiarism Policy (Revised 2013): The English Department takes plagiarism seriously. Plagiarism is defined as the following: the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or using someone else’s research without citing it. Student plagiarism in the Amarillo College English Department is internally tracked. To clarify, records will be kept in the Department of those students who have plagiarized. At the beginning of each new semester, the names of students who plagiarized the previous semester will be sent to all English Department faculty. Plagiarism may receive a penalty of a zero. A subsequent infraction will be deemed a reason for expulsion from the class. At this point, the case will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs. Note: Self-plagiarism will be discussed with the class by each instructor, and infractions for such are left up to the individual instructor’s discretion.

Grading Criteria

Percent-weighted scores for Amarillo College:

Essays (including semester test essay): 60 %

Active Participation in Discussions (including Socratic circles and Roundtable Discussions and Reflections): 15%

Daily Work (in and out of class writings, book project, rough drafts, quizzes, homework): 25%

For your Amarillo ISD grades, each assignment has a point value. More comprehensive and complex assignments are worth more points than daily grades and homework assignments. Your Amarillo ISD and Amarillo College grades will differ. 

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Amarillo College Grading Scale:

90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79%=C

60-69%=D

59% and lower=F
 

It is the responsibility of the student to request make up work when absent.

Work must be turned in on the assigned due date in class or no later than 11:59 PM of the due date in PDF or .docx format to AC Connect or AISD Blackboard at:

 https://acconnect.actx.edu

Missed work must be made up within three days of the absence unless you make arrangements with me during your absence or immediately upon your return. Please be aware that failing to make up missed work in a timely manner puts you at risk of failling further behind. This impacts your overall grade.

Remember: Stay current with the daily lesson—if you fall behind it is easy to keep up via Google Classroom or email.

Late Work Policy:

I do not accept late work on major assignments. LATE WORK ON MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS WILL RECEIVE A SCORE OF 0. Deadlines are posted well in advance. However, if it becomes apparent that you will not meet the deadline for some unforeseeable reason, you must contact me before the due date. In this case, I will assign a new deadline. Should you choose this option, be aware that 70 will be the highest grade you can achieve. Use this option only in an emergency.

I would highly suggest keeping up with your Amarillo College email and monitoring your grade through AC Connect:

https://acconnect.actx.edu

Monitoring your college grade is entirely your responsibility. I cannot contact your parents/guardian about your Amarillo College grade. I also cannot discuss your Amarillo College grade with your parents without your written consent.

If you have difficulties with using Amarillo College’s online systems, you can contact the CTL HelpDesk at (806)371-5992 or at ctl@actx.edu.

Attendance

Students attend this class at Palo Duro High School and must abide by AISD attendance policy.

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments. If during the semester you consider dropping, you must check with me first for an alternate plan, one that protects your investment in the course and gives you an opportunity to complete it.  Remember that the deadline for drops this semester is November 21,2017. 

 The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time in fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. There are certain exceptions to this policy and petitions for exceptions should be directed to the Registrar.

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